Salmon Bay Natural Area: Increase rearing/refuge area for millions of salmon smolts that migrate through and use this transition area between freshwater and saltwater. As proposed, project goals would be to acquire the property, plant native shoreline vegetation, remove riprap, re-slope shoreline, and add gravel/sands where appropriate. The Salmon Bay Natural Area is downstream of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks on the north bank between Hirams restaurant and the railroad bridge, and behind the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finger pier. Project partners include Groundswell Northwest, City of Seattle, King Conservation District, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Note 3/4/09: Creosote pilings were removed in February '09 by DNR as part of their state creosote removal program. Bulkhead removal, regrading and native vegetation planning is at 60% design. Construction is slated for Fall of 2009.

Update 12/2009: Working with the Ballard-based community group, Groundswell NW and regional nonprofit, Cascade land Conservancy, the City of Seattle acquired five shoreline parcels along the north side of Salmon bay just downstream of the Locks. The site had some mature forest and a small home with associated overwater structures. These overwater structures associated pilings were removed in 2009. Restoration of riparian plant communities, bulkhead removal, and slope regrading also ocurred in Autumn 2009. In addition, a public viewing area above the property was constructed. Interpretive signs at the site are designed to help visitors learn about how salmon and people can co-exist in a highly urbanized environment. The site will be monitored for effectiveness by the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences.